Top 5: Best Brunch in DTLA (part 1)

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’m obsessed with brunch. Brunch was a part of my life growing up way before it became the cool thing to do. To me, weekends = brunch. I guess I’m glad the entire world is now on board with that formula because, well, more options for me! Now that I live in downtown Los Angeles, it’s been such a blast almost every weekend trying out new brunch spots. I’ve been eager to write up a post sharing the top 5 spots for the best brunch in DTLA and here it is!

P.S After you’re done reading this post, there’s a part 2 with 5 more amazing brunches in Los Angeles. Click here for that post! 

Bottega Louie

(700 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017) 

If you only know Bottega Louie for their delightful macarons, you’re not the only one. I was also drawn in by their famous macarons years ago only to find out their dining is even better. Scratch that, their brunch is even better. Brunch at Bottega Louie is something I recommend to every single person that’s visiting LA. A few of my favorite menu highlights: Portabello Fries, Beignets, French Toast, and Tartufo Pizza. Beware, there’s going to be a wait (no reservations) and it’s on the pricier side but good lord is it worth it! Forget best brunch in DTLA – this is one of my favorites anywhere.

Blu Jam Cafe

(541 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013)

The downtown Los Angeles location of Blu Jam Cafe is located inside the Spring Arcade Building. We just happened to be walking through the building when we spotted a very busy Blu Jam Cafe and added it to our list. The first time we went (yes, we’ve been multiple times now!), there was a 40 minute wait and I believe it was around 11:30 AM on a Saturday. Pro tip: Go before 10 AM for either a shorter wait – or no wait at all. They’re known for their Crunchy French Toast. Yes, it’s crunchy and yes it’s delicious. However, our favorite french toast at Blu Jam Cafe is actually the Churro French Toast (check below for pictures of both). You heard that right, friends. Churro French Toast – it’s the bomb dot com. Crispy on the outside with cinnamon sugar and soft on the inside; I mean I’m drooling just thinking about it. Want something savory? The Sicilian Scramble will have your stomach thanking you.

Blu Jam has a few other locations throughout the Los Angeles area; Hollywood, Tarzana, Sherman Oaks, Brentwood, Woodland Hills, and surprisingly, a couple in Tokyo, Japan!

Urth Caffe

(451 S Hewitt St, Los Angeles, CA 90013)

I’m pretty sure my friends are sick and tired of seeing Urth Caffe Insta-Stories by now, but it’s with good reason. I recommend Urth Caffe for brunch or any other time of day. The food is high quality, locally sourced, and often organic. If you’re a coffee and/or tea fan, you’re going to love Urth Caffe. They have a huge selection of beverages including their popular Rising Sun Boba (Matcha Latte, Boba, Espresso Shots, oh my!) and my guilty pleasure, the Cafe Glace (like a Coffee Frappuccino but better). Since we live less than a mile from the closest Urth Caffe, we’ve eaten their breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert and honestly, you can’t go wrong. Speaking of dessert, don’t skip it when you visit! Cookies, Tiramisu, and oh god, their pies. All of them. But my favorite? Custard and Pumpkin. So good.

Dekkadance @ InterContinental Downtown Los Angeles

(900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017)

Dekkadance is located in the InterContinental Downtown Los Angeles. As soon as they opened (about 2 years ago), I heard about their weekend brunch buffet and had to experience it. First of all, it’s on the 72nd floor so it makes it to the list of best brunch in DTLA just for the view. It’s definitely a splurge with the price at $85 per person but keep in mind that includes an array of choices ranging from fresh seafood, a fruit bar, charcuterie, baked goods, omelette bar, salad bar and unlimited bubbly. We’re not baller enough to go often but if we have something to celebrate, we hit the buffet at Dekkadance or at Bottega Louie. Side note: we also dined at Dekkadance for dinner and it was just as fabulous.

Poppy + Rose

(765 Wall St, Los Angeles, CA 90014)

Poppy + Rose has been on my list forever and I’m kicking myself for not trying it earlier. Located right across from the Original Flower Market in the flower district of downtown Los Angeles, it’s smaller than I expected but incredibly delightful. Yes, there’s probably going to be a wait but the line goes surprisingly quickly. We had about 5 parties ahead of us and we waited just under 20 minutes. In DTLA, that’s nothing, folks.

You order and pay right as you get in, prior to getting seated, and the food comes out fast. I don’t drink much alcohol but I couldn’t say no to the Fried Chicken Mary (Bloody Mary w/a piece of Fried Chicken). Um, delicious. We also got the Lumberjack Breakfast and the Pulled Pork Scramble which were both so scrumptious! The hash brown is perfectly fried and the meats? Heavenly.

What do you think of this best brunch in DTLA list? Have you been to any? Have I convinced you to try them? I’d love to know in the comments below! 

For your reference, here’s a map with all 5 brunches in downtown LA: 

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